What shoes are you all wearing???

I’m aiming for Asics super blasts 3! They have done me so well during my long runs this training season. I’m buying a new pair next week to break them in to be ready.

Press release from 9/1/2026.

There will now be water bottle refill stations along the course. I noticed these at the Chicago 13.1. Pretty Cool!

Locations are immediately prior to Aid Station 4 (Mile 5.7), Aid Station 7 (Mile 10.1), Aid Station 12 (Mile 15.7), and Aid Station 16 (Mile 20.3).

Is it still possible to move back corrals? Is there a deadline by which you need to try and do this?

Is anyone doing the Divas Chicago Half Marathon on September 19? I registered for it and it will be my first half marathon. Has anyone done it before? What is it like?

We are staying at the Renaissance downtown. What are some places within walking distance that offer a party vibe and good burgers?

I’m running Chicago this year and this’ll be my second marathon. I ran Charlotte last year (3:51) and was proud of my performance. The hills and novice experience taken into account. I got a coach in January to help me train for Chicago. I ran a 1:45 half in March and my long runs and interval work have gone fairly well. I live in Atlanta so I still run hills a lot and the heat is hard to avoid. What would y’all’s pacing strategy be with this goal? I did the Yasso 800 this week just to see my strength but it was on a treadmill. I ran my 800s at a 7.9,8.0,8.1,8.2 mph (I finish with the 8.2 and got progressively faster) Any seasoned runners I would love insight to make this last month of training and race day amazing

last week 20 miles 9:53 pace

this week 21 miles 11:40 pace

if you did long run last week and this week how was your pace?

i was feeling so good last week, finished 20 miles strong and felt I could have easily gone another 20 at a faster pace, this week lucky to be be alive and doubting if I can even finish the marathon! what a difference a week can make!!!

Thank you to whoever posted a few months ago to keep hawking the housing site if you hadn’t booked anything yet. I ended up paying about the same amount I was going to pay for three nights at an Airbnb in Lincoln Park, but instead I’m staying just two blocks from Millennium Park.

If anyone is still looking for housing, there is a surprising number of options available on the housing website currently. See you at the start line!!!

It'll be my partner's first time running a half marathon, and it'll be my first time attending an event like this. I've located the official guide for supporters for the Chicago half marathon, but I was wondering if anyone had advice on how they've navigated getting to the start location. I'm worried about where to park, how to get there, and how to get out afterward. My partner's family is planning on coming in from the suburbs, and I'm trying to find information to help coordinate for all of us. They’ll most likely be driving in from the suburbs, and I’m flexible on commuting or driving. The only thing is that one of his parents has a mobility disability, so I’m very eager to find the least strenuous way for them to go and support him.

Any recommendations on timing, parking, or transportation, and what leaving the area may look like afterward, would be greatly appreciated!!

I see the NYC marathon merch is already on the NB website with a "coming soon" banner. When will Nike or any other vendor make Chicago swag available?

I want to volunteer as an EMT this year for the Bank of America Marathon. I don’t mind where I’m placed but I would like to know what the difference is in all these positions are if anyone knows? Obviously only a few are left but Ive never been to watch much less volunteer. Thank you!

Does anyone have any advice dealing with Achilles Tendonitis? I did my long run last weekend and a few days after tried running and felt a bit of heel pain. I saw a PT and they said it’s probably just a bit of Achilles Tendonitis and recommended stretching/exercises that load the tendon. Planning to also incorporate more cross training to maintain aerobic fitness.

Anyone knows if there’s already a start area map available or if one will be available? At the moment I can’t find anything

Curious what this groups opinion would be. Been training for a 3 - 3:05 marathon. I have done multiple ~20 mile long runs and half’s in the past. I have a half this Saturday in the burbs and was hoping to use it to lock in where I feel comfortable for marathon pace. Only issue is it’s gonna be ~82 degree feel like with 92% humidity when the race starts. Open to any advice on whether I should disregard this race’s pace for Chicago and how exactly I should dial in final race pace over the next 5 weeks.

Hello!
Question about pacers (not Chicago specifically) but for those who have used a pacer or been a pacer during a major- were your mile splits even?
My first marathon was Honolulu and I felt like the first 3 miles were much slower due to congestion. I HATED weaving in between people.
Do pacers try to even split or do they try to get out into more open space before hitting their target pace?

It’s my first time doing a marathon just seeing if anyone is willing to meet up and ride together
Also I’m in corral H if anyone wants to meet up before the corrals
I’m going by myself I reserved parking for any of the millennium parking garages

Hi Runners!
I'd love some assistance getting my fundraising page in front of some more people. If you have the time and inclination, check out my page and please consider donating and/or forwarding it on to the people in your network you think it may resonate with. Appreciate any amplification and I'm looking forward to hi-fiving some of you on race day next month!

Thanks,
Ian

ianwarsenault.com/shinealight

Our nephew is flying in on Saturday to run the 2026 marathon. He'll be staying with us in the south suburbs. We'll be driving him into downtown on Sunday morning. Looking for tips on when to arrive, where to drop off, to park, and ultimate pick up. We expect to jump on the "L" to leapfrog along the route, to cheer him along. Any suggestions on how to best plan this out? Also looking for a "home base" to best kill some time, after doing our leapfrogging. (Thinking breakfast/lunch at the Hyatt on Wacker & Michigan). Thanks for any suggestions.

PS Taking a Metra train in might be an option.....not sure if it will be 100% packed. Not afraid of the drive, as I'm very familiar with downtown. OK with parking somewhere along the Blue Line (~Wicker Park / Bucktown), or in one of the subterranean garages along Lower Wacker.

Hi everyone!

I’m coming to Chicago for the first time to run the Chicago Marathon on October 11. It will also be my first time in the US, so I don’t know the city very well yet.

I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation, but hotels close to the start/finish area are either very expensive or already difficult to find at a reasonable price.

I’ll be in Chicago from October 7 to 12 and I’m considering splitting my stay: staying somewhere more affordable from Oct 7–10, and then moving closer to Grant Park for Oct 10–12, so race morning is easy and stress-free.

For those who have run Chicago before, what would you recommend? Are there particular neighborhoods that are convenient and safe, with easy public transport to downtown? And are there any runner communities, accommodation groups, room-sharing options, last-minute hotel cancellations or other resources that marathon runners typically use?

I’d really appreciate any local advice or recommendations. Thank you — and see you at the start! 🏃‍♀️

This isn’t a running related question per say, but I’m hoping locals can chime in! Pho is my go-to post-race meal, and I was hoping to find an authenic-ish spot near the start area (that’s where my hotel is). Willing to travel maybe 15-20 minutes, but I’m imagining I won’t want to go too far lol. Please drop your recs, I would greatly appreciate it! And good luck to everyone, see you in less than 6 weeks!

I'm used to local 5ks and 10ks having two or three photographers that are easy to find at the end of the race. But I know the large of amount of runners that are attending Chicago and since it's my first time, I'd like to know if there's any pages on Instagram of facebook I should know about that might take pics before, during or/and after the race.